Cameras

Once upon a time, in the not too distant past, because of technology limitations and relatively slow film stock, DPs and directors commonly used a technique called “day for night” where night time exteriors would actually be filmed in broad daylight with various filters to simulate post-sunset lighting conditions while having enough light to secure a decent exposure.

For live sports events, avid fans always want to get up close and personal to watch select plays. Well, AJA Video Systems has a new tool to make that dream a reality, at least for technical directors. AJA TruZoom software enables users of AJA Corvid Ultra to extract highly detailed region-of-interest (ROI) from 4K video. In the analog days, this would be the high-tech equivalent of electronically creating a picture-perfect artificial close-up by using an optical printer to enlarge select portions of the frame.

High-speed imaging specialist Vision Research has added a ruggedized body to its line of Phantom Miro cameras. The Phantom Miro R-Series, the third member of the Phantom Miro family, is for use in harsh environments where a camera must survive high shock, vibration and a broad range of temperatures. It’s capable of running at up to 730 fps with 1920x1200 resolution and up to 800 fps at 1920x1080. “Our new Miro R-Series gives customers another choice in camera body style, expanding the number of applications for the camera family,” says Vision Research Marketing Director Rick Robinson. “The R-Series is targeted specifically towards those that need a ruggedized camera to withstand severe environmental conditions.”

With the next big thing always around the corner, camera professionals can rely on having a plethora of gear offerings. The products that stand out can vary from shoot to shoot, but the remaining constant is that equipment needs to be small, fast and cheap enough to compete in today’s competitive market. One “faster” piece of equipment is the Midas Mount SnapFocus. Created by Brandon David Cole, the SnapFocus is a simple, cable-driven follow focus system that combats smaller-budget production restraints. It works on the principle of resistance between two retracting hand grips, which on the prototype are levers from bicycle brakes — and since your hand never needs to leave the handle bars, you’ll maintain a rock-steady center of gravity.

For many filmmakers and cinematographers, it’s a dream to have a digital-cinema camera offer the image quality from a full-sized studio camera and the mobility of a palm-sized spy camera. Manufacturers have attempted to fulfill this ideal over the years, most recently with the lamented 720p Flip camera and the GoPro HERO3. While these compact and inexpensive models proved useful, they also had major limitations. Fortunately, View Factor Studios recently introduced a new palm-sized camera to the market. The Novo formally debuted on February 22 and, unlike many other micro HD cameras, it’s available as a rental-only product.